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Memories of Sapp and Keyshawn

Posted Dec 6, 2011 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Dec 6, 2011 at 12:19 PM

BY IRA KAUFMAN

TAMPA—You don’t need a fortune teller to know who Warren Sapp was talking about.

Over the weekend, the former Pro Bowl defensive tackle of the Buccaneers was asked a general question about whether players ever quit on their teams.

In his role as an analyst on “NFL Gameday Morning,’’ Sapp didn’t hesitate. And although he didn’t refer to Keyshawn Johnson by name, it’s evident his response involved Tampa Bay’s decision in 2003 to de-activate Johnson with six games remaining because the veteran wide receiver was becoming a divisive presence in the locker room.

“I’ve watched an individual on my football team walk into the head coach’s office and say, ‘I don’t like you, I don’t like your offense, I don’t like this team and I want out,’ ‘’ Sapp said.

Johnson and former Bucs head coach Jon Gruden had a contentious relationship from the start and things got so bad that the organization basically told Johnson to stay away from the team for the rest of the season, even though at 4-6 Tampa Bay still had a remote chance to make the playoffs.

“So yes, players do quit on their football team, no doubt about it,’’ said Sapp, who departed Tampa after the 2003 season to join the Raiders as a free agent. “I’ve seen it with my own eyes.’‘